Haunted hayrides Friday in Ballard Park will be crawling with creepy costumed teens from the Barn teen center.
Downtown Ridgefield’s autumn celebration is growing.
There will be balloon animals, pumpkins galore, popcorn, chili, pie, wine tasting, sales, a book signing, music, haunted hayrides, philanthropy, an obstacle course, dance, a symphony, fried dough, and more at this weekend’s Fall in Love With Ridgefield, starting Friday.
“This was a minor event in years past because it was so close to the Stroll,” said event organizer Kathy Graham of Fairfield County Bank, referring to Downtown Ridgefield’s biggest seasonal event, the Holiday Stroll.
She and Chamber of Commerce board member Rich Vazzana decided to take a more hands-off approach to coordinating and allow every organization to take over a certain aspect of the weekend event. That allowed for a bigger list of attractions.
Hayrides will kick off the fun Friday at 6 p.m. in Ballard Park, with Barn teen center teens in creepy costumes. They will continue into the weekend.
Saturday
Saturday’s events include:
• Friends of the Library “sneak peek” book sale at temporary library location in old Balducci’s building, 10 a.m.
• Music-Fun station with inflatable obstacle course and barbecue run by the high school character and leadership program, Keystone Club, at the Boys & Girls Club, 11 to 3.
• Happily Ever After: A Cinderella Tale, movie at the Playhouse at 11 and 2, $15 (see page 2C).
• Library’s “Pumpkin Shenanigans” storytelling and songs by Mary Jo Maichack at the Boys & Girls Club, 11 a.m.
• Tiger Sports barbecue from 11 to 4.
• Local artist Amy Bock signing Fall in Love with Ridgefield posters with her design at the Loft at Bissell Pharmacy from 12 to 2.
• Free popcorn at Fairfield County Bank, 1 to 4.
• Wine tasting, Liberta’s Spirit Shoppe, 1 to 4.
• Free tours at Keeler Tavern with cider and donuts, 1 to 4.
• Children’s book signing with Lanie Colano, co-author of All Around My Town, Ridgefield, CT, at the Loft at Bissell Pharmacy at 2:30 (see page 1C).
• Ridgefield Bicycle Co. second annual Great Pumpkin Ride. Nine-mile recreational ride. Leaves at 4; arrive at 3:45 to gear up.
• Wine tasting benefiting the Women’s Center, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Community Center.
• Chili contest and pie baking contest at Keller Williams.
• Improvisational tap dance and studio open for viewing at Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance.
• Wandering balloon artist benefiting Jesse Lee church.
• Food Bank collection near Books on the Common by Rotary Sunrise Club.
• RHS field hockey bake sale.
• Addessi Jeweler giveaway of a $1,000 Bellarri piece.
• Fried dough at St. Stephen’s.
• Turkey Ridge fall handbag raffle.
• nancy O “scarf bar” with lots of new scarves and knitting patterns, along with a “how to use the new ruffle yarn” demonstration at 10 and 2.
• MOMS Club open house by Lucy’s (page 8A).
• How I Became a Pirate at the Theater Barn (page 2C).
• Make your own leaves and branches or collect fallen leaves and turn them into a placemat, bookmark, collage at the Aldrich.
• Halloween candy count contest, at Craig’s Fine Jewelry, with $630 gift certificate prize to celebrate the store’s 63rd anniversary.
• Cornell veterinarians will answer pet questions at a ROAR tent in front of William Pitt Southeby’s.
• SPHERE jewelry sale outside Town Hall.
• Ridgefield Music and Arts Center musicians outside Swizzles, with 25% of yogurt proceeds benefiting the RMAC.
• Musical duo Carly and Eliza will perform.
• Free blood pressure, saliva toxicity and spine alignment checks from Peterson Chiropractic.
Around town, Saturday
• Little Pub wing eating contest at 2.
• Bocce at Ancona’s all day, with trophy for the winner.
• Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra John Williams Concert at RHS at 8.
• Wine tasting and educational wine seminar at Ancona’s.
• Letterboxing treasure hunt, Garden of Ideas.
And Sunday
• Meals on Wheels 40th anniversary open house kitchen tour, 25 Gilbert Street, 11 to 1.
